M A I N   N E W S

10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 
India my grand motherland, says Trinidad & Tobago PM
Kamla Persad Bissessar invites Indians to invest in her country
Prabhjot Singh/TNS

Jaipur, January 8
For 68-year-old Kamla Persad Bissessar, the first woman Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, India is not only a growing world economic power, a land of great opportunities, a great friend of her nation, but also her grand motherland.

Pravasi Bharatiya Divas delegates dance with Rajasthani folk dancers at Jantar Mantar in Jaipur on Sunday. — PTI

“Trinidad is my motherland,” she said while speaking at the inaugural ceremony of the 10th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here, maintaining that India, the birthplace of her grandparents, was her “grand motherland”. “Being a grandmother myself, I know how important are the grandchildren for a ‘nani’ or a ‘dadi’. Trinidad is a country of diversity as people there are of African, Indian, European or Chinese origin. For them, Trinidad and Tobago remains their motherland, but countries of their grandparents from where they came remain their grand motherlands.”

She said Trinidad was not only the biggest producer of methanol but also had liquefied gas in abundance and it could share with India many technologies, including oil and gas exploration, while benefiting from Indian expertise in several other areas. “For too long we have been looking upon the former colonial masters for the answers to our problems, we now must look inwards and also east or south for tapping the vast resources that we undoubtedly possess,” she added.

Starting her address with traditional Hindu greeting of “Sitaram”, she said when her forefathers like those of many of her countrymen left shores of East India, they did not carry with them either mobile phones or tweeters or facebook accounts, but only copies of holy Bhagvad Gita and Koran. The values they carried with them have stood with them through generations and this is why most of the people in her country still remain attached to the rich cultural heritage of their forefathers.

Getting a standing ovation after the stimulating address, Kamla Persad Bissessar not only dwelt on the strong friendship and trade bonds with India, but also shared her thoughts on the role of the diaspora in nation building.

“India has a lot to teach the world in terms of how to attain food security as well as make affordable computers and i-pads that are basic tools in generating creativity and international competitiveness. Even as India grows its economy at home, Trinidad and Tobago provides an excellent opportunity for Indian entrepreneurs and investors to set up manufacturing and service industry in my country where we are committed to a programme of diversification and offering attractive incentives to investors.”

“With over hundred years of experience in oil exploration and gas monetisation, Trinidad and Tobago can develop a strong partnership to assist emerging oil and gas nations in the south, thus giving life to the much-touted south-south cooperation and trade,” she added.

“More and more countries are becoming aware of the power of the diaspora to contribute not only for the socio-economic development in their homeland but also to shape and sustain positive images of the country of their origin,” she said.

Accompanying her is a 160-member trade and business delegation from Trinidad that includes former cricketer Brian Lara.